FAQ

What is Give Big Hawai‘i?

An online giving event that provides nonprofits the opportunity to gain exposure to -- and start relationships with -- new donors, and for people in our region to come together to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits.

When is Give Big Hawai‘i?

Giving Day will take place on November 29, 2022.

What is GiveGab?

GiveGab is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits to raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy to use products that allows organizations to function in a more streamlined manner.

Who can donate?

Anyone with a credit card and access to the internet.

How much of the donation will go to the nonprofit?

There is a partner fee of 2% to Honolulu Magazine for site management and a GiveGab Platform fee of 3%. Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 or donors have the option to use ACH for gifts over $100, and that processing fee is $3.00.

Donors are given the option to cover the fees and if you choose this option, 100% of your online charitable gift will go to the receiving organization. Any donations processed outside of the Giving Day Period, through GiveGab.com, or subsequent recurring donations are subject to transaction fees outlined on the GiveGab.com pricing page: info.givegab.com/pricing.

Why is there a partner fee?

The partner fee helps to off-set some of the operating costs for the Give Big Hawai‘i program. Each donor will also receive a 1 year digital subscription to HONOLULU Magazine.

What is a "unique donor"?

For the purposes of awarding prizes, a unique donor is one individual or corporation/business. Multiple donations from one donor to the same nonprofit will count as one gift. Organizations cannot donate to themselves.

What forms of donations are accepted?

MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express donations received through the website on the giving day will be matched from the bonus pool on a prorated basis. No donations via check, cash or stock will be accepted.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

When donations are received through the website, a receipt is automatically generated for the gross amount of your gift and emailed to the address you provide. Your tax professional can advise you on the tax deductibility of the donation.

Will I receive a receipt for tax purposes?

Yes. You will automatically receive an emailed receipt acknowledging your gift.

Is there a minimum gift?

There is a $5 minimum donation.

May I pay a pledge with my gift?

Since Giving Day is designed to generate new support, we are unable to accept gifts to pay off existing pledges.

May I designate how a nonprofit uses my gift?

All donations made during the Giving Day are considered unrestricted gifts to the nonprofit, other than they must be used for the benefit of Hawai‘i nonprofits. However, you may express your desire that your gift be used for a specific program or project (in the notes field of the giving form).

May I use my donation to buy event tickets, museum memberships, or other things that provide me a benefit?

No, donations may not be used to pay for anything that might be perceived as a material benefit to the donor, advisor or other disqualified person - including dinner tickets, membership fees, golf fees, admission tickets or other gifts.

What if I can't find my favorite nonprofit on the website?

If you can't find them on the site, they may not be participating in the event this year. After the event, please encourage the nonprofit to contact us so we can be sure they are ready for next year.

Who is GiveGab?

GiveGab is an online giving platform that helps nonprofits raise money, engage donors, and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy-to-use products that allow organizations to function in a more streamlined manner. Your profile on GiveGab is available 365 days a year for fundraising and volunteer management should you choose to use it beyond the giving day.

Do I need to create an account with GiveGab to make a donation?

No. You do not need to create an account to make a donation. The benefits of creating an account include having your tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track your donations, follow the charities you support, and engage in future volunteering and donations. Your tax receipt is emailed immediately upon processing your donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, you should retain the donation receipt as an official record.

What organizations are eligible for the Give Big Hawai‘i?

Organizations must have a current 501(c)(3) status and providing direct services in Hawai‘i .

When does nonprofit registration close?

Nonprofit registration closes on November 20, 2022.

How will donations be distributed?

Each donation made to a participating nonprofit will be disbursed directly from GiveGab via direct deposit within 5 - 7 business days.

Who will receive my contact information?

The organization(s) you choose to support will have access to your name and email address. This information is used solely to send thank you messages, provide the option to receive future notifications, and to notify you of future activities.

Can I make donations via a mobile device?

Yes! Simply visit www.givebighawaii.com.

What is state charitable solicitation registration?

Nonprofits are held to a high standard of government regulation and public scrutiny. And that is with good reason! Eligible 501(c) nonprofits are exempt from federal corporate taxes and have access to public funding. These benefits are not typically available to for-profit businesses, so laws are in place to protect the public and ensure nonprofits do not abuse their financial advantages. The IRS and states all have requirements for nonprofits.

Why is state charitable solicitation registration compliance important?

While 501(c) nonprofits receive key financial benefits, the penalties for noncompliance can be serious. The IRS can revoke a nonprofit’s tax exemption and impose fines that can accrue daily. The states can administratively dissolve a nonprofit corporation and levy steep financial penalties. Perhaps worst of all, an organization can lose out on a grant or large donation because it has not kept itself in good standing.

Taking a proactive approach to compliance helps ensure the sustained success of the organization. The cost of staying compliant is small in comparison to the much larger costs of noncompliance. The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more true in this context.

What are the key aspects of state charitable solicitation registration compliance?

The IRS provides tax exemptions to eligible nonprofits under IRC 501(c). Public charities and private foundations receive 501(c)(3) tax exemption. The IRS scrutinizes organizations when they apply for 501(c)(3) but also ensures that those organizations meet the ongoing obligations to remain eligible. Nonprofits must file a 990 tax form each year with the IRS to disclose their financial data for the year.

Each state has their own set of requirements. Nonprofits are typically incorporated in a given state as a nonprofit corporation. The state in which the nonprofit has incorporated will impose requirements on the nonprofit, and those responsibilities typically span across multiple state agencies. Usually nonprofits must submit an annual filing to the corporations division of the secretary of state, maintain its license to fundraise (charitable solicitation registration), file for a state business license, and maintain state-level tax exemption with the revenue department. As nonprofits expand outside of the state or operate nationwide, they must comply with the same items in each other state as well.

In addition to IRS and state filing requirements, nonprofits must keep adequate records. Keeping accurate and complete records is critical in the event that an organization is audited. It is also common that board members or donors request information from the organization. Finally, records are necessary for submitting applications and renewal filings with various government agencies.

When I check the box on GiveGab to declare state charitable solicitation registration compliance, what am I attesting to?

When you check the box you are attesting (defined as "declaring that something exists or is the case") that your organization is compliant with applicable state fundraising requirements in the states in which you may solicit donors using the GiveGab platform.

What is the Southwest Airlines® Offer?

Give Big Hawai’i donors can earn 25 bonus points per dollar donated for minimum donations of $25, up to a maximum of 10,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points. If you aren’t a Rapid Rewards Member, please visit Southwest.com® to sign up for the program. As a Member, you earn points by flying or spending with our partners and can use them how and when you want. Rapid Rewards is the only rewards program with unlimited rewards seats, no blackout dates on reward travel and no point expiration.

Rapid Rewards Restrictions: Conditions of Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points apply. Potential winners will need to provide their Rapid Rewards account number to collect their prize. If you do not have a Rapid Rewards account number, you may register for an account by going online to www.southwest.com/rapidrewards. Rapid Rewards accounts are free. Points will be deposited into the recipient’s Rapid Rewards account approximately eight (8) weeks after the potential recipient has been verified by Sponsor and Participate has been notified that verification is complete. Rapid Rewards bonus points prizes do not count toward any increased or improved status in the Rapid Rewards Program, including any Southwest Airlines Companion Pass or Tier Status designation (e.g., A-List or A-List Preferred). Rapid Rewards bonus points awarded are subject to the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Rules and Regulations, available at http://www.southwest.com/rrterms. Southwest Airlines reserves the right to amend, suspend, or change the program and/or program rules at any time without notice. Rapid Rewards Members do not acquire property rights in accrued points. Rapid Rewards bonus points have no cash value and are void if sold, purchased, brokered, or bartered. The number of points needed for a particular Southwest Airlines flight is set by Southwest Airlines and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, point redemption rate, and other factors, and is subject to change at any time until the booking is confirmed. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight.